Hapless Boris Johnson is in office but not in power, held hostage by a group of Tory MPs letting Covid rip and opposed to even mild restrictions to save lives.
His authority weakening by the day, the Prime Minister is incapable of taking tough decisions, fearing doing the right thing might make his Conservative critics in Westminster write letters launching a leadership challenge.
This quiet coup is an intolerable tragedy that will cost lives and damage the economy by needlessly extending the pandemic.
Nobody wants to be a Grinch and cancel Christmas, yet we may face an unhappier New Year if Omicron continues spreading rapidly, filling hospital wards already understaffed because health workers are among the victims.
The best leaders are bold, brave and courageous – they do what is needed, argue their corner and take people with them. Johnson is scared, cowed, confused and dithering.
Once again, we see he is not up to the job.
Funny business
Boris Johnson and the Tory Party have been caught taking people for fools again, pretending a photo of the PM, his wife and 17 aides in the No10 garden in last May’s lockdown was a business meeting.
Really? With cheese and wine and a couple of them sitting together on the grass on the very day the then-Health Secretary was urging ordinary folk to avoid each other outside?
The arrogance of this privileged Tory elite was underlined by Justice Secretary Dominic Raab’s inability to name any other group of workers in the country who did the same.
One law for them, another for us – a double-standard that shows how Johnson believes he can break the rules he demands others follow.
Furever homes
A dog (or a cat) is for life, not just for Christmas – and it is heartwarming to know that abandoned pets can be found welcoming new homes.
So let’s paws for thought and enjoy the inspiring tales of pooches and moggies living happily ever after thanks to the RSPCA.
